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a M s q m w 2 N N A M S E N N A M .R d 0 M m FLEXIBLE SHAFT COUPLING.

Patented Nov. 5, 1895 (No Model.) 2 Sheets Sheet 2.

v R MANN ES MANN FLEXIBLE SHAFT COUPLING.

No. 549,144. Patented NOV. 5, 1895.

In vglzfar M dam,

UNITED STATES PATENT FFIcE.

FLEXIBLE SHAFT-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,144, dated November 5, 1895.

Application filed a G 9, 1895. Serial No. 541,118. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, REINHARD MANNEs- MANN, of New York, in the county and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Flexible Shaft-Couplings, of which the following is a specification.

The objects of this invention are to strengthen and simplify the construction and improve the ease of operation of shaft-couplings of the class which have been hereto fore devised for coupling lengths of shafting greatly out of alignment with each other. These objects are accomplished by providing the end of each length of shafting with a bifurcated head presenting within its jaws a concentric bearing, which embraces somewhat more than one-half of the periphery of a cylinder, which is retained in said bearing either by means of one fixed and one detachable or by means of two detachable end flanges or caps integral with or bolted to the opposite ends either of the cylinder or of the bearing. Each cylinder has formed in it a longitudinal slot, which is either deeply recessed in the middle or which may extend entirely through the middle part of the cylinder, and which is for the recepaion of one end of the connecting-blade by which power is transmitted from one length of shafting to the other. Near each end the blade is provided with a longitudinal slot to admit of the passage through it of a screw which is inserted transversely through and screwed into a suitable aperture tapped in the adjacent cylinder. Thesaid longitudinal slots are of great importance, because they allow an endwise play of the connecting-blade and consequent ease of operation in case the geometrical axes of the slotted cylinders do not with mathematical accuracy intersect the geometrical axes of the lengths of sh aftin g which are coupled.

The accompanying drawings, illustrating the invention, are as follows:

Figure 1 is a top View of adjacent portions.

of two lengths of horizontal shafting represented as arranged in axial alignment with each other and connected with the coupling forming the subject of this invention and, affording end views of the cylinders inserted in the bifurcated jaws of the shaft-heads. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken through connecting-blade.

. the plane indicated by the dotted line a: :0 on

showing the lengths of shafting arranged at right angles to each other, and showing the coni1ecting-blade extending diagonally across from one cylinder to the other; Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken through the plane indicated by the dotted line y y on Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section corresponding to the section shown in Fig. 2, but showing the lengths of shafting arranged at right angles to each other. fication in which the cylinder is held from endwise movement by being flanged at one end and by having a cap fastened to it at the other. Fig. 7 is a section similar to that shown in Fig. 5, but showing cylinders having slots extending entirely through their middle por tion, and showing a recess in each cylinderbearing forthe purpose of affording the necessary clearance for the corners of a connecting-blade having rectangular ends.

Figs. 1, 2, 3,4, and 5 of the drawings represent the adjacent portions of'two lengths of shafting A a, which, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, are so mounted in bearings as to be at right angles to each other. The end of the length of shafting A is provided with a bifurcated coupling-head B, the interior surface of which is bored out to form a concentric bearing C- of somewhat more than one hundred and eighty degrees for the slotted cylinder D. Similarly, the end of the length of shafting a is provided with a bifurcated head I), affording the concentric bearing cfor the slotted cylinder (1. Each of the cylinders D cl has cut in it a longitudinal slot'E, the middle portion of which is deepened to form the recess E. The slots and recesses in the cylinders are adapted to contain the rounded end portions of the connecting-blade F. The end portion F of the connecting-blade F is seated with a sliding fit between the opposed sides of the slot E in the cylinder D, and is provided with the slot F to allow of the entrance through it of the shank of the screw G, inserted transversely through the cylinder D into the tapped hole G. The opposite end portion f of the connecting-blade F is provided with a slot f to allow of the en- Fig. 6 illustrates a moditrance through it of a similar screw g, in-' serted transversely through the slotted cylinder (Z. Endwise movements of the cylinders in their bearings may be prevented by which the cylinders D (l are provided with slots extending entirely through their middle portions and in which the connecting-blade F has rectangular instead of rounded ends. The central portions of the cylinder-bearings C c are provided with recesses C c to afford clearance for the corners of the connecting-blade. Figs. 6 and 7 also illustrate a modification in the method of preventing endwise movement of the cylinders in their bearings. To this end each cylinder is provided at one end with a cap H adapted to overlap and bear upon the adjacent end of the cylinder-bearing. The cap H is secured to the end of the cylinder by screws H The opposite end of each cylinder may be provided with a similar removable cap or with a circumferential flange I, which is integral with the body of the cylinder, as indicated in Fig. 7. As will be seen, the cap 11 and the flange I are provided with slots which are in alignment with the slot E of the cylinder, in order to afford the necessary clearance for the connecting-blade F during the revolution of the shafting. In both modifications the range of this clearance is sufficient to adapt the coupling for connecting adjacent lengths of shafting which are ninety degrees or any less number of degrees out of alignment with each other.

\Vhat is claimed as the invention is- 1. In flexible shaft couplings of the class described, the combination of bifurcated heads, aiiixed to the ends of the lengths of shafting which are to be coupled, and presenting upon the interior faces of their jaws concentric bearings of somewhat more than. one hundred and eighty degrees; cylinders provided with longitudinal slots and recesses and seated in said concentric bearings; with a connecting blade having its extremities rounded and its end portions seated with a sliding fit in said slots and recesses, said end portions of said connecting blade being themselves provided with longitudinal slots, and screws inserted transversely into said cylinders and through said slots in said connecting blade, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In flexible shaft couplings of the class described for coupling adjacent lengths of shafting, which are out of axial alignment with each other to any extent up to ninety degrees; the combination of bifurcated heads affixed to the ends of the said lengths of shafting and presenting upon the interior faces of their jaws concentric bearings of somewhat more than one hundred and eighty degrees, and cylinders seated in said concentric bearings and provided with suitable slots; with a connecting blade having its end portions seated with a sliding fit in said slots; said end portions of said connecting blade being themselves provided with longitudinal slots, and screws inserted transversely into said cylinders and through said slots in said connecting blade, as and for the purposes set forth.

The combination in a shaft coupling, as herein set forth, of the bifurcated heads, B l), aflixed to the ends of the lengths of shafting which are to be coupled, and presenting the concentric bearings, G o, the slotted cylinders, D (Z, the connecting blade, F, provided with the slots, F f the screws, G g, inserted transversely through said cylinders, D (Z, and extending through the said slots, F f and means for preventing endwise movements of said cylinders, D (I, in their bearings G c.

REIN HARD MANNESMANN.

Vitnesses A. M. J ONES, E. GATTERER. 

